Secure file transfers via cloud are preferred over FTP

By Lori Angalich | Sun, Jan 15, 2012

While file transfer protocol has been around for 40 years and was the norm for businesses, the aging technology continues to demonstrate weak spots. For example, a breach at Yale University exposed personal information on roughly 43,000 faculty, students and staff, because the data was stored on an unsecured FTP server.

According to a recent SYS-CON Media report, companies must respond by turning to secure file transfer solutions that offer more effective transmissions and enough protection to safeguard personal information. And many organizations are turning to cloud-based file transfer tools to leverage their cost-effectiveness and ease of deployment.

Here are several factors the report said to consider to enhance the performance and security of file transfer.

1. Define who will be using the services

Regardless of whether internal or external individuals use the resources, it's important for the cloud to be able to handle what is being thrown at it. For example, many companies today have implemented bring-your-own-device policies that enable employees to use their own smartphones and tablets in the workplace. If this is happening within one of the end-user organizations, it's a good idea to ensure the file transfer solution can support mobile devices, the news source reported. This is why many companies are turning to the cloud, as the technology is easily customizable and can support any number of endpoints.

2. Determine the type of solution

Compared to traditional on-premise file transfer programs, cloud-based services can provide scalable, centralized storage and can accommodate files of any size. Additionally, cloud services can be integrated with existing systems, making the platform an easier. The cloud can also support the adoption of hybrid or premise-based architectures, making it ideal for organizations unsure of what they need, SYS-CON Media noted.

By implementing secure file transfer capabilities through the cloud, businesses can reduce the necessity of IT staff hovering over traditional programs, thereby enabling them to perform other critical tasks, according to the news source. As a result, companies can reach time-sensitive deadlines while improving other operations along the way.

According to MarketsandMarkets, the global cloud computing market is expected to be worth more than $121 billion by 2015. This suggests that companies are investing in the services for a number of reasons, including secure file transfer programs and online storage.